Construction work in progress in Frisco's historic downtown Rail District.
Frisco, August 2, 2025
Frisco is undergoing an $80 million revitalization project in its downtown Rail District, but local businesses are suffering significant revenue declines due to ongoing construction. With disruptions on Main Street, merchants report drops in foot traffic and sales, leading to some closures. The city aims to enhance the area for future visitors, yet many business owners feel the project prioritizes aesthetics over support for struggling enterprises. City officials are initiating support measures, but frustration remains high among local merchants.
Frisco is facing significant challenges as it undertakes a multi-million dollar revitalization project in its historic downtown Rail District, with the entire initiative costing nearly $80 million. This extensive project aims to enhance the area’s architectural character and pedestrian experience through grants focused on building façades and public spaces. However, the construction is causing severe disruptions, particularly on Main Street, leading to a downturn in both foot and vehicle traffic, which has adversely affected local businesses.
Local merchants are reporting staggering declines in business due to the ongoing construction. For instance, Rand Burks, the owner of Randy’s Steakhouse, has indicated a 65% drop in revenue, pushing him to borrow money from family members to meet ongoing operational costs. Similarly, James Stiglets, the owner of Soccer City, has noted a 50% reduction in foot traffic and a 35% decrease in revenue since the construction began. Tragically, over a dozen businesses in the area have already closed as a direct result of the financial strain, with more potentially at risk of following suit.
The revitalization project includes plans to reconstruct Main Street with a single lane in each direction, wider sidewalks, and the removal of street parking. City officials claim the goal is to cultivate a vibrant downtown atmosphere reminiscent of an “Austin vibe” and to prepare Frisco for the anticipated influx of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite these claims, local business owners have expressed frustration over the project’s impacts on their daily operations, stating that they have not felt the benefits of the proposed improvements.
Mayor Jeff Cheney has acknowledged the hardships faced by local merchants, clarifying that the project has been in development for eight years. To alleviate some of the financial pressure on businesses, the city is implementing various support measures, including offering $50 gift cards for local merchants. Nevertheless, many entrepreneurs feel this assistance is insufficient and focused too heavily on aesthetic enhancements rather than helping sustain operational costs.
Further complicating matters, a new $23.9 million public parking garage is currently under construction, intended to add over 450 parking spots to the downtown area. This facility is expected to facilitate parking, include retail spaces, and connect to a planned town square. However, escalating construction costs have driven up the budget for this parking garage, part of broader infrastructure investments in Frisco’s downtown.
City officials have established a neighborhood liaison and initiated weekly meetings with local merchants to strategize ways to mitigate the impact of construction. Business owners are advocating for more direct financial aid tailored to help meet operating expenses, asserting that their survival hinges on community support during this challenging period.
As Frisco’s downtown Rail District undergoes this extensive revitalization, the dual objectives of upgrading the area and supporting local businesses continue to clash. The outcome of this major project remains to be seen, but for now, many local merchants are calling for increased community support and long-term solutions to help them weather the storm created by ongoing construction.
The project will cost nearly $80 million.
Many businesses have reported significant drops in revenue, with some owners experiencing declines of up to 65%.
The project involves reconstructing Main Street, adding wider sidewalks, and removing street parking.
The city has introduced $50 gift cards for local merchants and is conducting weekly meetings with them to discuss the construction’s impact.
A new public parking garage costing $23.9 million is under construction, which will add over 450 parking spots.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Cost | $80 million |
| Business Revenue Declines | Up to 65% |
| Parking Garage Cost | $23.9 million |
| New Parking Spots | Over 450 |
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